By Vanessa Bauza
April 20, 2023
5 experts share how hope fuels their work
5 min
Marissa Miller surfing on the South Shore of O'ahu, Hawai'i. Yoshi Tanaka
Surfing brings me hope because it grounds me in purpose and connects me to the ocean — and to people all over the world. Through surfing, I’ve developed a strong relationship with nature and become more attuned to my environment. My passion for surfing goes beyond my love for riding waves because surfing relies on healthy coastal ecosystems, and healthy coastal ecosystems create many benefits for local communities. For me, surfing illuminates the interconnectedness between people and our environment, making every surf session a reminder of why I do what I do at Conservation International. Those special moments — when I am floating out on the water, dancing across waves and connecting with the ocean — are a reminder of what I strive to protect.
Marissa Miller Coordinator for Surf Conservation & Blue Production San Luis Obispo, United States
Daniela Amico with Margarita Cumbia, a member of the Awajun Indigenous group, at a workshop in the Peruvian Amazon. Marlon del Águila
Anna Haw in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Courtesy of Anna Haw
I'm hopeful about the movement toward embracing new metrics of prosperity that consider the value of nature. For too long, economies have valued consumption and production at the expense of the environment. But now, more and more, the value of nature — from providing clean air and water, to sustaining healthy food systems — is being brought into national agendas. I love that through Conservation International’s science, field projects and collaborations we are finding ways to build economies that focus on the well-being of people and nature to ensure a prosperous, healthy future for generations to come.
Anna Haw Regional Manager, Herding for Health Cape Town, South Africa
Wilson John Barbon planted his lotus during the pandemic lockdown. Courtesy of Wilson John Barbon
The lotus I planted in my garden gives me hope. Out of the mud comes beauty, that’s the message of the lotus bloom. I draw inspiration from that idea in my work with communities thar are confronted with the effects of climate change, ecosystem loss, and extreme poverty and food insecurity. With the right tools, important local solutions can emerge from working closely with communities. Hope can bloom, despite the challenges.
Wilson John Barbon Conservation Program Senior Director Manila, Philippines
Andrea Vasquez hiking in Heredia, Costa Rica. Courtesy of Andrea Vasquez
Andrea Vasquez Director, Human Resources Heredia, Costa Rica.
Stay close to the work
